Chapter 4: Distractions I Don’t Need

Sophia’ POV

The moment I stepped into my office and shut the door behind me, I let out a slow breath.

I wasn’t rattled.

No. That wasn’t the right word.

Annoyed? Yes. Intrigued? Unfortunately.

But rattled? Never.

I had spent too many years learning how to control my reactions. In a world where men like Travis Cole prowled, waiting for any sign of weakness to pounce, I had learned early on that my best weapon was my ability to stay cold. To never let anyone know what was happening beneath the surface.

But damn him.

Damn the way he had looked at me like I was a puzzle he intended to solve.

Damn the way he had spoken in that infuriating, self-assured tone, like he knew exactly how to get under my skin.

And most of all, damn the fact that for a split second, when he had stepped closer, when his voice had dipped just low enough to make the air between us shift—

I had felt something.

Something I didn’t want to name.

I paced to my desk, pressing my palms against the cool glass surface and forcing myself to exhale. This was fine.

He was just another man who thought he was clever. Just another game player who didn’t realize that I never lost.

This wasn’t worth my time.

Which was exactly why I was not going to bring it up to Leah.

I lasted all of five minutes before she stormed into my office uninvited.

Her eyes locked onto me immediately. “Explain.”

I exhaled through my nose. “Explain what?”

She crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that Travis fucking Cole is sitting in our building like he owns the damn place?”

I turned back to my desk, forcing my hands to remain steady as I reached for my coffee. “He’s not relevant.”

Leah scoffed. “Oh, bullshit. You never get this quiet about someone unless they’ve made an impression.”

I took a sip of my coffee, stalling.

Leah narrowed her eyes. “Oh my God. He did, didn’t he?”

I sighed, setting my cup down with deliberate patience. “Travis Cole is an unnecessary distraction.”

She whistled low. “A hot unnecessary distraction, though.”

I shot her a glare. “Not helping.”

Leah grinned. “So what does he want?”

I shook my head. “He didn’t say. Just made a few vague comments about curiosity.”

Leah blinked. “He came here out of curiosity?”

I could hear the disbelief in her voice. I shared it.

“Apparently.”

Leah leaned against my desk, eyes gleaming. “And?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “And nothing. I told him to stay out of my way.”

Leah let out a low hum of amusement. “And what did he say?”

I hesitated.

And we’ll see about that had been his answer.

The words had been simple enough. But the way he had said them, the way his smirk had lingered, like he already knew I wouldn’t be able to ignore him—

That had stayed with me.

I didn’t tell Leah that part.

Instead, I sighed, dropping into my chair. “He’s a businessman, Leah. He doesn’t do random.”

She nodded. “So he wants something.”

“Obviously.”

Leah tilted her head. “And you’re sure it’s not you?”

I shot her another glare. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

She grinned. “Oh, absolutely.”

I exhaled. “Just… find out why he’s here. Discreetly.”

She gave a mock salute. “On it, boss.”

She turned to leave but paused at the door. “By the way…”

I raised an eyebrow.

Leah smirked. “You do realize you haven’t stopped thinking about him since he walked in here, right?”

I didn’t dignify that with a response.

She just laughed and disappeared down the hall.

I sat back in my chair, staring at the city skyline.

She was wrong.

I wasn’t thinking about him.

I was strategizing.

Because whatever game Travis Cole thought he was playing—

I had just decided I was going to win.